PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Lady Lava and Kes were among the big winners at the Caribbean Music Awards (CMA), held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on September 18.

The awards were staged at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), marking the first time the Caribbean Music Awards were held outside the United States.

Lady Lava, who entered the night as the most nominated artiste with nine nominations, took home three awards.

She won Female Soca Artiste of the Year for the first time and retained the Zess Artiste of the Year title.

Kes was named Male Soca Artiste of the Year.

The other winners included Ayetian, who won Best New Artiste (Dancehall), while Freetown Collective took home the Caribbean Fusion Artiste award.

Full Blown won Soca Impact, while Mr Ridge was named Artiste of the Year (Bouyon).

Klassik Frescobar won Song of the Year (Dennery) for “Dansa”, while Moliy took Song of the Year (Dancehall) for “Shake It to the Max (Remix)”.

Yung Bredda won Song of the Year (Soca) for “The Greatest Bend Over”.

In the French Caribbean category, 1t1 and Theomaa won Song of the Year for “Ouba”.

Alkaline took home the People’s Choice Award.

V’ghn and Terra D Governor won Song of the Year (Jab) for “Jab Decisions”.

Ravi B and Lady Lava won Song of the Year (Chutney Soca) for “Cyah Pick”.